HE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE LEADERSHIP FIJI GRADUATION GALA DINNER 2023

The Chairperson of the Leadership Fiji Board, Mr. William Parkinson;
• The Deputy Board Chairman of Leadership Fiji Mr. Malakai Naiyaga;
• Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimoni Vosarogo; • Leadership Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sharyne Fong;
• Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Eseta Nadakuitavuki;
• Leadership Fiji Programme Coordinator and Secretariat;
• Leadership Fiji Alumni and 2023 Participants;
• Invited guests and family members.

Miau sa bula re and good evening! I am indeed honoured to be present as your Chief Guest at this Leadership Fiji Graduation Gala Dinner for the alumni of 2023.

I recall that the 2022 alumni visited me at the State House last year and I wish to state that I am proud of Leadership Fiji because I have always been associated with of Leadership Fiji in Macuata in my capacity as a Traditional leader and Tui Macuata. On that note, allow me to convey a big Vinaka Vakalevu for the warm welcome accorded to me this evening!

Ladies and gentlemen, at the outset I wish to thank the board and management team of Leadership Fiji for continuing to cultivate the culture and spirit of transformational leadership, while moulding and influencing our young corporate leaders to be agents of change for worthy causes and to encourage an enriched workforce through its leaders. Leadership is a high calling - I for one understand that when I was entrusted with the calling to be Tui Macuata and now being Head of State.

Along with the position and authority come great responsibility and demands on those of us who hold those positions and provide leadership for others. On the same note, we have leaders present tonight like the Honourable Filimoni Vosarogo and PS Mrs. Eseta Nadakuitavuki who were groomed as part of this alumni can attest to the challenges of being a leader.

However, it is always interesting to note that when the subject of leadership is discussed, the focus is centered solely to those individuals in senior positions of power. It is assumed that only they, can influence the future of our community and nation. I beg to differ, as I have personally Page 2 of 3 experienced that true leaders can make a difference at all levels of society.

These individuals include parents, teachers, community workers and religious leaders or leaders in the workplace. If we recall, we all have special people in our lives that have inspired and motivated us at critical points in our lives.

Consider the impact this has had on you and then multiply it by the number of people they have personally influenced and ultimately, ask yourself who I can help in a similar manner.

In simple terms, a successful nation needs leadership at all levels of society and once again I find the Leadership Fiji program recognizes this in insisting on diversity in each year group requiring that each year group has participation from different communities, regions and industries.

This is critical and I hope that the program will make even greater efforts to encourage more participation particularly from public sector organizations. Our world is ever-changing in what it demands of us, especially as leaders. We must never allow these constant changes to influence our resolve to succumb to the pressures of the demand of an ever-changing world. In order to endure these times as a leader, you must be of unwavering courage, have integrity, empathy, vision and positivity. A good leader shall not defile themselves being chief men among their people.

They shall lead with example and show compassion. They shall make wise decisions and equally humble themselves when situations dictate so. Leaders need to be fair in judgement and most importantly fear the Lord – as believers.

As a leader your subordinates will look to you for a clear direction and for foresight as they want to know that you understand where you are leading the team, and you knowing how to get there.

One of the keys to leadership is ‘Self-Awareness’ it is when you understand your strengths as well as your weaknesses and work on capitalising on your strengths and improving your weaknesses - for this you will be unstoppable.

Self-awareness in leadership leads to Service Leadership which is the influential ability that occurs once you discover the call on your heart to serve, and then answering that call to lead, and summons your courage to involve yourself with those you are leading. There is a saying that goes “IT IS LONELY AT THE TOP!” but it does not have to be. You remaining at the top depend on those who work with you and under your control.

How effective the team around you is, reflects off you as a leader, in other words ‘We are only as strong as our weakest link”. So My humble plea is - Be a Service Leader, if you have not become one, then work on becoming one.

Ladies and gentlemen, as leaders your duties and responsibilities are dictated by company policies, procedures and other legally binding documents that serves as a guide. As the Head of State I am too guided by legal documents that guide my role as the Head of State. I understand that your programme so far has put into perspective and context attributes of a good leader and the importance of exploring and the self-discovery of your own values, philosophies, prejudices and beliefs, in order to develop and enhance the holistic quality of leaders in Fiji. 

In my humble opinion, I still believe that the development of leaders will remain fundamental to the nation’s well-being and equally crucial for the creation of a society that is economically, socially, politically and sustainably successful. Leaders such as yourselves will need to continue to strengthen and enhance the ideals of inclusivity and the implementation of policies and programmes that are of the national interest and for the common good of all citizens of our beloved nation. Ladies and gentlemen, a leader’s work is not complete if all that is learnt and experiences are not shared nor portrayed positively in the community you are a part of. Any sustainable organisation requires sustainable leadership. Many good leaders CAN and have the ability to change the strategy and course of an organisation when given the right environment and opportunity. A great leader changes a life.

As leaders your responsibility lies not only in your title it lies more in your influence to affect a positive change particularly in the lives of those under your leadership.

Again I congratulate the Leadership Fiji Alumni of 2023! It is with great honor and privilege that I wish you success in your leadership journey and being that, we in the season of hope, I wish you a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. May The Almighty God bless you all and our beloved nation, Fiji!

Vinaka vakalevu and Thank you.